LAJFF- Framed / Surviving Skokie

SURVIVING SKOKIE

This riveting documentary centers on a series of dark days in small-town America that force a resilient group of Holocaust survivors to relive a devastating past. Eli Adlers deeply personal film follows the path of his father, Jack Adler, a Polish immigrant and concentration camp survivor who built a life in Skokie, Illinois. But the quiet existence of thousands of survivors is rocked to its core in the late '70s when a neo-Nazi group announces plans to march through town. As the community comes together to confront these hate mongers, long-festering emotional scars and severe memories are uncovered. Adler combines fascinating historical footage and a penetrating first-person perspective to capture the intimate psychological details of 70 years of persecution and prejudice. The generational journey comes full circle after a poignant trip back to Poland provides a profound opportunity for father and son to connect with each other and their turbulent cultural history.

Q&A with director Eli Adler

Preceded by:

FRAMED - THE ADVENTURES OF ZION MAN
Narrative short, USA 2015, 16 min
Director: Brenda Lee Lau

At first young Walter was impressed by the Nazi uniforms and the powerful, handsome men who wore them, he even wanted to be them but soon learned looks are deceiving. 1933 Germany was a confusing time for a Jewish boy, coming of age in an era when nothing made sense. Why was he being bullied just because of who he was? How does a young boy survive this type of persecution? By drawing comic book heroes Walter creates a universe where he can defeat these evil predators who invaded hisreal world. Using both live action and animation we bring this young boys fantasy to life. Inspired by the true story of Walter Kahn, a 12 year old Jewish Boy, who endured the bullies who abused him in 1933 Wiesbaden, Germany by creating a fantastical Superhero Universe in which to escape and the 8 words that changed his and his familys life forever.

Q&A with filmmakers